Printing-machine.



G. M. BRECKENRIDGE.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 19,1913.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

LB'YNIW G. IVI. BRECKENRIDGE.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19,1913.

Patented Feb. l?, 1914.

G. M. BREOKENRIDGB.

PRINTING MAGINB.

APPLICATION FILED .TUNE19,1913. l

e 190879716@ Patented Feb.17,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. M. BRECKENRIDGE.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19,1913.

LWM 6. Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

,Cook, yand State of Illinois,

A for 'tion of ing machines,

`described and claimed.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEicE.

` l GEORGE M.' BRECKENEIDGE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, Essrenoie or cnn-THIRD ToA JAMES P. IVICMANUS,

0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

JPRNTING-MACHINE.

To all 'whom t may concern:

` Be it known that I, GEORGE M. BRECKEN- RIDGE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident ofthe city of Chicago, county of have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Machines, is a specification.

y invention relates to improvements in printingl mechanism and more especially to printing mechanism or apparatus employed printing indorsements on checks, the present application beingin part a continuamy prior application, tiled Novem- 1912, Serial N o. 729,272, for printthe object of the present into provide a machine of this ber 4th,

vention being character which is of improved construction' and operation. :A further object is to provide a machine of this character which is so arranged and constructed as to operate with a minimum expenditure ofpower and with great convenience to the operator. t

. The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of kThe invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a side View of a machine embodying my invention, Fig. 2, an enlarged detail section taken through clutch mechanism employed in the machine, Fig.' 3, an enlarged view of an electric switch member employed in the machine, Fig. 4, a top plan view of the machine with portions broken away for the sake of clearness, Fig. 5, a front elevation of the machine, Fig. 6, an enlarged section of a printing roller employed in the machine, Fig. 7 an enlarged section of an electric switch employed in the machine, Fig. 8, a-detail view of a stop member employed inthe machine, and Fig. 9, a longitudinal section of the machine.

The preferred. form of construction as illust-rated in the drawings comprises a suitable frame 1 vhaving-an ordinary electric motor 2 mounted therein. Motor 2 is connected in circuit, by means of wires 3, 4 and 5, with switch plates 6 and 7 which are insulated from each other and secured to the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 19, 1913. Serial No. 774,522.

of which the following' parts hereinafter Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

side of frame 1, as indicated, said switch plates 6 and 7 'being arranged `at an inclination to each other so as to afford a sort of wedging action to the other member of the switch, as will be explained hereinafter. Motor 2 is connected by means of a belt 8 with a driving pulley 9 which is secured to a driving shaft 10 suitably mounted in the machine. Driving shaft 10 is connected by means of a belt 11 with a driving pulley 12 mounted upon a printing shaft 13 arranged centrally in the machine, as indicated. This printing ,shaft 13 has two disks 14and 14mounted thereon, the disk 14 being lloose on said shaft and disk 14 being attached thereto by means of a set screw. Disks 14 and 14 are provided with suitable perforations adapted to receive pins 15 on a segmental supporting member 16. Segmental member416 is provided ywith inwardly extending arms 17 which are notched or bifurcated at their inner ends to embrace shaft 13, and the printing element 18 is secured to the outer surface of'said member 16, as indicated in Fig. 6. Disk 14 carries a sleeve 15 which extends outwardly therefrom to the side of the machine in posit-ion for ready access by the hand of the operator. The shaft 13 is provided with a reduced portion 13 within sleeve land a compression spring 16 is arranged around said reduced portion land has one of its ends secured to shaft 13 and the other to sleeve $15. By this arrangement, it will be observed, that by grasping the outer end of sleeve 15 and pulling the same outwardly, disk 14 may be detached froln segmental member 16 and thus permit of its ready ,removal for the substitution of a new printing element. This speciic form of construction of the printing member conpurpose and one that may be readily taken apart and reassembled as desired. An impression roller 19 is mounted in spring held slidable blocks 20 so as Ato have yielding contact with said printing member and an inking roller 21 is also mounted in a spring held slidable block 22 so as to have yielding contact with said printing member.

A stationary guide member 23 is arranged above the printing mechanism and extends substantially vertically asindicated in Fig. 9. A movable guide member 24 is also stitutes a simple and efficient one for the mounted above the printing mechanism to coperate with guide 23, said movable guide member 24 extending in an inclined position upwardly and toward the operator of the machine, who stands to the left thereof, as

the machine is shown in Fig. V9. The guide Y ward movement of the hand will bring the plained hereinafter,

hand in contact with guide member 24 and depress the same after the check has been inserted in operative position between roller 19 and the printing roller, thus insuring that the guide member will be depressed when all checks inserted are in the same relative position with respect to the printing mechanism. lnasmuch as guide member 24 controls the operation of the machine, as will be eX- this insures uniformity of work. A suitable supporting table 26 is arranged forward of guide member 22 and a suitable discharge slide 27 is arranged to guide the marked or indorsed checks into a receptacle 28 therefor.

A spring-held clutch arm 29 is secured to the end of shaft 13 just outside of pulley 12 and is provided with a locking pin 30 which is adapted to enter any one of a plurali-ty of holes 31 formed in the outer face of a plate 32 on the outer face of pulley 12. An automatic stop member 33 is pivotallymou'nted on frame 1 and is normally held by a spring 34 in the path of clutch arm 29 so as to be struck by said clutch arm when the shaft 13 revolves. Stop member 33 is outwardly beveled or rounded at its forward end 35 and an abrupt stop shoulder 36 is formed at the termination of bevel 35 as shown in Fig. 8. By this arrangement it will be observed, that as shaft 13 and pulley 12 revolve in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig 1, the upper end of arm 29 will strike the beveled portion 35 of stop member 33 and said arm will be forced outwardly to disengage pin 30 from the corresponding hole 31, thus disengaging, pulley 12 from shaft 13. 1m mediately after this is e'ected, arm 29 strikes the abrupt stop shoulder 36 and stops shaft 13 and consequently the printing mechanism in the same position every time.

The adjacent supporting arm 25 for guide member 24 is provided with a spring held extension 37 which in turn carries a springheld release arm 37 which is notched as indicated at itsupper end to engage a pin 33 on stop member 33. Release arm 37 is provided with a recess having an inclined surface 38 adapted to ride upon a pin 38 xed to the frame of the machine, said pin and said inclined surface being so arranged that when guide member 24is depressed, re-

' bent outwardly,

lease member 37' will operate on pin 33 to elevate stop member 33 to release clutch arm 29 to permity rotation of shaft 13. Immediately after such release,`however, the inclined surface 38, riding upon pin 38 will throw the upper end of arm 37 out of engagement with pins 33 and permit said stop member 33 to return to operative-position immediately even if movable member 24 is held in depressed position. Thus it will be observed that, at each insertion of a check in the. printing mechanism, the guide member 24 will be depressed by the natural motion of the operators hand, the printing shaft 13 released for operation and stop member 33 automatically returned to operative position without respect vto further movements of movable member 24. By arranging for the quick and automatic return of stop member 33 to operative position, said'stop member is made independent of member 24 in this respect, so that the operator may maintain member K24 depressed as long as he wishes without the machine.

At its rear end extension 37 carries a pivoted trigger member 39l normally held against a stop 40 by means of a spring 41. This trigger member 39 is arranged to contact with one arm 42 of a spring-held bell crank so as torock said bell crank upon elevation of said trigger arm, but to pass said bell crank idly when depressed. The other arm 43 lof said bell crank is connected byrlmeans of a link 44 with one arm 45 of another larger bell crank as shown in F ig.

affecting other parts ofl 1. Arm 45 carries metallic spring switch members 46,`1said switch members being secured to said arm by means of insulating members 47, and coperates with switch plates 6 and 7 as indicated in Fig. 7. The other arm 48 of said larger bell crank is as shown in Fig. 4, and its forward end is set in the path of a pin 49 carried by an arm 50 secured to the corre; sponding end of shaft 13.

By this arrangement it will be observed that upon depression of guide member 24,

the rear end of extension 37 is elevated to release shaft 13 and simultaneously operate switch members'46 to close the electric crcuit for motor 2, and that upon release of guide member 24, trigger ,member 39 will pass lever arm 42 without aecting the same, thus maintaining a closed circuit until otherwise disturbed. This action releases clutch arm 29 from stop member 33 and at the same time closes the circuit for motor 2 to start the machineand complete the marking or printing on the check, and discharge the same into receptacle 28. As shaft 13 continues to revolve pin 49 strikes the forward end. of lever arm 48 and throws switch members 46 rearwardly to break the circuit for motor 2. Immediately after the circuit of motor 2 is broken, clutch arm 29 comes in contact with stop member 33, which in the meantime has returned to normal Vposition, as explained above, and is disengaged from pulley 12 and positively stopped by shoulder 86, thus stopping the printing mechanism in the same position each time. However, owing to lthe high speed of the motor and the inertia of .the parts, the pulley 12 and intermediate connections with said motor are free to revolve under their inertia, thus avoiding sudden stops and shocks to the motor. Thus, it will be observed, that vthe motor is stopped between each operation of the machine and the flow of current entirely cut ofta during this period. 'inasmuchas the time consumed by the operatorin placing a -check in the machine is usually considerably longer than the time actually employed by the machine in this operation,

this edects a considerable saving in power.

ln order to accommodate checks or slips of greater length the frame l is provided with a lateral extension l as shown in Fig. 5. Y

While l have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I.

`therefore, do not wish to 4be limited to the` precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of .'r'he appended claims.

l Having described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. 'A machine of the class described comprising printing mechanism 1and an electric motor for operating the same; an electric circuit for operating said motor; a switch controlling said circuit; a clutch mechanism for releasably connecting said motor and printing mechanism; two guide members arranged to guide sheets to be printed to said printing mechanism,l one of said guide members being arranged to be moved by the hand of the operator in inserting a sheet; means`operable by said movable guide member for connecting said clutch mechanism and throwing said switch to close said circuit; and automatic means for throwing said switch to break said circuit and disconnecting said clutch mechanism, described.

2. A machine of the class described comprising printing mechanism and an electric motor for operating the same; an electric circuit for operating said motor 5 a switch controlling said circuit; a clutch mechanism for releasably connecting said motor and" printing mechanism; two guidevmembers arranged to guide sheets to be printed .to said printing mechanism, one of said guide memsubstantially as v ycontrolling said circuit; a clutch mechanism for releasably connecting said motor and printingmechanism; two guide members arranged to guide sheets to be printed to said printing mechanism, one of said guide members being arranged to be moved by the hand 'lof the operator in inserting asheet; means operable by said movable guide member for connecting said clutch mechanism and throwing said switch to close said circuit and immediately releasing said -switch to permit independent ope.` ation thereof; Aand automatic means for th owing said* switch to break said circuit and disconnecting said clutch mechanism, substantially as described.

4. A machine of the class described compris'ing printing mechanism and an electric motor for operating the same; an electric circuit for operating said motor; a switch controlling 'said circuit; a clutch mechanism v for releasably connecting said motor and printing mechanism; two guide .members arranged to guide sheets to be printed to said printing mechanism, one of said guide members being arranged to be moved by the hand of the operator in inserting a sheet; means operable by said movable guide member for connecting said clutch mechanism and throwing said switch to close said circuit and immediately releasing said switch to permit independent operation thereof; and automatic means for rst lthrowing said switch to break said circuit and then disconnecting said clutch mechanism, substantially as del scribed.

5. A machine of the class ldescribed comprising printing mechanism and-an electric motor for operating the same; an electric circuit for operating' said motor; a switch y controlling said circuit; a clutch mechanism for releasably connecting said motor and printing mechanism; twolguide members arranged to guide sheets to be printed to said printing mechanism, one of said guide members being arra edA to be moved by the hand of the operator in inserting a sheet; means operable by said movable guide member for connecting said clutch mechanism and throwing said switch to close said circuit; automatic means for throwing said switch. to

`break said circuit and disconnecting said clutch mechanism; and an automatic stop arranged to stop said printing mechanism of, substantially as described.

6. A machine of the class described com` prising printing -mechanism and an electric motor for operating'the same; an electric circuit for operating said motor; a switch controlling said circuit; a clutch mechanism for releasably connecting said motor and printing mechanism; two guide members arranged to guide sheets to be printed to said printing mechanism, one of said guide members being arranged to be moved by the hand of the operator in inserting a sheet; means operable by said movable guide member for connecting said clutch mechanism and throwing said switch to close said circuit and immediately releasing saidswitch to permit independent operation thereof; automatic means for rst throwingY said switch to break said circuit and then disconnectingsaid clutch mechanism; and an automatic stop arranged to stop said vprinting mechanism at the same point after each operation thereof, substantially as described.

7 A machine of the class described comprising printing mechanism and means for operating the same; a stationary guide member positioned substantially vertically over said printing mechanism v a. movable member positioned over said printing mechanism and inclining upwardly and toward the operator and coperating with said stationary guide member to direct sheets to said printing mechanism; and means, operable by said movable member, for controlling the operation of said printing mechanism, substantially as described.

8. A machine of the class described comprising printing mechanism and means for operating the same; a stationary guide member posi ioned substantially vertically over said printing mechanism; a pivoted guide member positioned over said printing mechanism and inclining upwardly and toward the operator and coperating with said stationary guide, member to direct sheets to Jsaid printing mechanism; and means, operary guide member connecting guide' able by said pivoted member, for controlling the operation of nsaid printing mechanism, substantially as "described 9. A machine of the class described comprising two coperating rollers adapted to draw sheets therethrough and operate thereon and means for operating said rollers; a stationary guide member positioned substantially verticallyover Vsaid rollers; a pivoted guide member positioned over said rollers and inclining upwardly and toward the operatonand coperatingV with said stationto direct sheets to said rollers; and means, operable by said pivote/d member, for controlling the operationf of said rollers, substantiallyas described.

l0. A machine of the class described comprising printing mechanism and an electric motor for operating the same; an electric circuit for operating said motor; a swltch .controlling said circuit; a clutch mechanism for releasably connecting said motor and printing mechanism; two guide .members arranged to guide sheets to be printed to said printing mechanism, one of said guide mem-A bers being arranged to be moved by the hand of the operator in inserting a sheet; means operable by said movableV guide member for said clutchA mechanism and throwing said switch-to close said circuit and immediately releasing said vswitch to permit independent operation thereof; automatic means for first throwing saidswitch to break said circuit and then disconnecting said clutch`mechanism; an automatic stop arranged to stop said printing mechanismV at the same point after each operation thereof; and means, operable by said movable member for rst throwing said4 stopping means out of operation andthen into operation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing `witnesses.

GEORGE M. BRECKENRIDGE. TWitnesses JOSHUA R. H. Por'rs;

HELEN F. LiLLIs. 

